As a student, you would agree with me that it is not just about academics...books, lectures, tests, exams, practicals, and all are enough on their own. But life won't just pause or give you a break all because you are now in school. There are a lot of things life will bring your way, things that wouldn't care to know if you have free time or not. While still in school, I was involved in some things. And that was one place I learned the art of balancing.
I was never the type to love departmental posts, and it's not because I wouldn't win or won't see supporters; it was because it was politics. A lot of things are involved in it, so...it isn't for me. Even though I wasn't involved in that, I still carried some responsibilities. I held various positions, as I was the churchy type. I was the Assistant Evangelism Coordinator in my church, I was the Drama Coordinator in my departmental fellowship, and I was the Assistant Drama Coordinator in my institute. Coupled with that, I belonged to different gospel drama groups, which include the well-known ANCEDRAM. With all of that, I was still the type that was everywhere. I was in all the church departments...from sanitation to prayer band to ushering and all, except the choir. Singing has never been my calling 😉.
Now combine all of these with the normal student life, which includes lectures, assignments, practicals, unannounced tests, tours, evening lectures at times, and many more. A lot of times I would leave home very early in the morning for lectures; I would be all busy, going up and down, and by the time I checked the time, it would already be 4pm or some minutes after, but then there's a program in church by five. I can't possibly go home by that time. At times it would be late before I got home.
Talking about the secret, I don't know, but for me it has always been first things first. That's how it has always been for me; I always plan, check, and prioritize. Time will never be enough; if a day were to become 48 hours, time would still not be enough. But if you do things in order of that which matters most, you would be able to navigate well. When it's exam time, I do things differently. I wake up early, I study in the early hours of the day, and as students, we try not to fix too many programs around that period as well, even though some can't be helped, especially when you are a finalist.
There are times I don't eat until it's evening, not because there's no food, but because I have to be somewhere early or go call some people. There are times I miss out on some hangouts, there are times I would be on the rehearsal ground and be told a test is going on in class, there are times I had to work nights, and there are moments where I had to stay up all night to read because the day has been too busy, but then all of those sacrifices did add up together and made sense.
Just so you know, there's absolutely nothing to get from an empty cup...there are a lot of times I turned down meetings, there are times I gave myself rest, and there are times I handed over programs to certain people and stepped back. If you belong to multiple groups, you will understand me better. People often expect you to always show up, and to be the motivation for others. That is exactly what most won't want to do, but then, I did, and it saved me from burning out.
There's something about me that many don't know: I was the shy type, but then I found out that I deliver well in drama ministrations, but to step out and talk or do presentations in class is an issue. It was through that I knew I could do it. I do well in church, among others; why, then, do I act shy in class? Ever since then I began seeing my presentations and defense as an acting scene that must be well acted and delivered. So, I began to see my commitments as a training ground and not a distraction.
I won't lie, I have a lot of odd moments too... There were times I rushed from practical class into a church program still having my green lab coat on, there were times I slept off during meetings, and there were times I would be eating in the evening during a church program, stuffing biscuit with kunu hurriedly as I would be the next to mount the altar. I can't afford to go and faint up there... There are times I would have gone to make frames for customers and still needed to return for a church program or a fixed practical class in the evenings or weekends... Those were stressful and tiring moments, but today I can say they are part of those things that bring a smile to my face.
The passion I had then also helped me. I loved my academics the same way I also loved serving. I won't lie, it wasn't easy, but then, I didn't drop one for the other. There are times one had to suffer for the other, but then I came out stronger and more disciplined while knowing how well to handle responsibilities and pressures.
So, how was I able to manage it all? I made a lot of sacrifices, I went the first things first way, I kept reminding myself why I was doing it, and I planned ahead. As a student juggling school with some other commitments, just know you are capable of more than you think. Learn to balance things, and you are good to go...